Archived: Real Life Options - Oxfordshire

Real life Options is a domiciliary care agency (DCA). The service provides personal care services to people living with learning disabilities in supported living arrangements. At the time of our inspection eight people received personal care as the regulated activity.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found:

The service was not always well led. The service did not have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People received compassionate support from caring and committed staff. Relatives told us staff were kind and respectful and treated people with dignity and respect. Staff knew what was important to people and ensured people’s confidentiality and privacy were respected and their independence was promoted.

People were supported to access health services when required. People complimented the continuity of care provided by skilled and competent staff. Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff had access to effective supervision.

People received support that met their needs and was in line with care plans and good practice. People were supported to maintain good diet and hydration. People's rights to make their own decisions were respected.

The provider followed safe recruitment processes. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to protecting people from the risk of harm. Where risks to people had been identified, assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage these risks. People received their medicine as prescribed.

Staff and the manager shared the visions and values of the service and these were embedded within service delivery. There were systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Learning from audits took place which promoted people's safety and quality of life.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection:

The last rating for this service was Good (published 10 January 2017).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

Real Life Options provides supported living in two supported living sites for people with learning disabilities in the Oxfordshire area. They also provide support for people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection four people were receiving a personal care service.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

None of the people who used the service were able to speak with us. Relatives told us people were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they able to recognise and report abuse. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.

Where risks to people had been identified risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage the risks. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People received their medicine as prescribed.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staff rotas confirmed planned staffing levels were consistently maintained. The provider had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.

Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected.

Relatives told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Where learning needs had been identified action was taken to make improvements which promoted people’s safety and quality of life. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected against the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care.

People had enough to eat and drink. People required minimal support with shopping and food preparation. People could eat independently.

Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff supervision and meetings were scheduled as were annual appraisals. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and there was a good level of communication within the service.

Relatives told us the service was friendly, responsive and well managed. The service sought people’s views and opinions and acted upon them.